US Bureau of Labor Statistics
The average position requires 1,021 days of prior work experience in 2022
November 13, 2023
National Tongue Hurricane Day is November 12thy, which means it’s time to toast all the tongue twisters that can make us stumble over any phrase. Using data on requirements for prior experience and on-the-job training, perhaps we can consider the declaration: If practice makes perfect and perfect the practice of needs, then I am perfectly and practically perfect. Previous work experience and on-the-job training requirements readily reveal the training and research needed to achieve rampant success.
Previous work experience was required for 47.5 percent of workers and on-the-job training was required for 79.0 percent. On average, in 2022, workers were required to have 1,021 days of prior experience. The average prior work experience required for administrative occupations was 1,996 days, while community and social services occupations required 723 days.
| Professional group | Average days of previous work experience required |
|---|---|
|
All workers
|
1021.02 |
|
Community and social services
|
722.97 |
|
Teaching and educational library
|
944.25 |
|
Life, physical and social sciences
|
1145.16 |
|
legal
|
1190.97 |
|
Business and financial operations
|
1263.95 |
|
Architecture and engineering
|
1377.98 |
|
Computer and mathematics
|
1411.10 |
|
administration
|
1996.35 |
On-the-job training refers to the minimum amount of training time required after a worker is hired. It includes time spent observing another worker and time spent in classes or demonstrations. Architecture and engineering professions required 81 hours of training, while education and library professions averaged 17 hours.
| Professional group | Average hours of on-the-job training |
|---|---|
|
All workers
|
31.75 |
|
Teaching and educational library
|
17.00 |
|
Community and social services
|
44.22 |
|
administration
|
51.89 |
|
Computer and mathematics
|
53.91 |
|
Business and financial operations
|
55.20 |
|
legal
|
55.89 |
|
Life, physical and social sciences
|
60.82 |
|
Architecture and engineering
|
81.09 |
These data are taken from the Occupational Requirements Survey. For additional information on specific occupations, see the occupational profiles or to view all ORS data, download the full data set. All estimates in this article have been rounded to the nearest full day or hour.
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